COLONEL WILLIAM A. HOWARD - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 08/27/1841 - HFSID 174704

COLONEL WILLIAM A. HOWARD (CIVIL WAR)
Recently resigned, the Civil War Colonel expresses his anger over a recent Congressional decision.
Autograph Letter signed: "W. A. Howard", 3p (integral), 8x10. Boston, Massachusetts, 1841 August 27. To "My dear Pitt" [U.S. Senator] William Pitt Fessenden, Portland, Maine. In part: "Johnson by the Public Prints that a motion has been made in Congress (both Houses) to have the Commissions of the Revenue Officers confirmed by the Senate, gain thus a relation rank with the Army Navy & in fact to reorganize the confs. This thing I tried on the Secretary on [illegible] success. You are aware how had I tried to make the Confs respectable and genial--organized--You skim the persecution I suffered because I would not allow my vessel made a political machine if--and at last resigned because I thought the service never would become respectable or receive any attention from Congress. Am [illegible] you to do me a favor to see the [illegible] of the Treasury on the subject [illegible] if is his mention to input mix Session. This favor of a reorganization of the Confs the place is in respectable footing with the other arms of Service if it is 'Jack the Restoration of my Commission.' Insignia 2 years less [illegible]. You skim my whole career, is [illegible] for me to state it to you. The only uniform System of discipline ever in the service was introduced by me. The Uniform the Battalion, the Internal Rules & Regulations are all mine. I cause the [illegible] to cruise for vessels in distress in the winter season. I built & rebuilt 3 battalions. I made with 2 years labour a code of Signals for the service, which I still have, in fact I introduced for the first time anything like discipline of 'Espne du caps' [unclear translation] into the Service and gave it a standing with the other arms of service that is never did possess form would law left had I not saw a deposition on the part if of the Government to reward the [illegible] political baitizans [sic] with Commissions in on services I then by [illegible] us a by mad to the Country. Almost daily I am solicited by the officers to whom as shy are [illegible] has I will [illegible] to raise the Confs with people standing. I carried into put this safety the 3 winters on coast/main, 21 vessels in distress when I was ordered from Boston in Consequences of my not associating with.... " on the next page, he continues, "...Your speech on the Bankrupt Bill I heard two days since. I am proud of you for it. Send me a copy if you have on to share. Evans will assist you on my behalf, if you want any assistance which I much doubt. If you find any trouble in in this matter dear Pitt, although I am anxious to be restored (if the Service is to be organized) never fash your head about but piss through this in the lieu of it. Hoping you are in the enjoyment of good health and not too much disgusted with Congress & that dirty hole Washington. I am dear Pitt, Your friend." William A. HOWARD (1807-1871) was a veteran Coast Guard officer who commanded a detachment of marine artillery during battles on the Carolina coast during the Civil War. At the beginning of the war, he was commissioned as a Colonel of the 1st New York Heavy Artillery in the defenses around Portsmouth & Norfolk. Earlier in his career, when he commanded the revenue cutter Jackson, he was said to look so resplendent in his Coast Guard uniform that naval officers pressured Navy Secretary Levi Woodbury to remove epaulettes from Coast Guard uniforms. In the years before the Civil War, he was in private business as a shipbuilder. William Pitt Fessenden (1806-1869) had resigned a seat in the U.S. Senate to assume, at the personal behest of President Lincoln, the Cabinet post of Treasury Secretary after the resignation of Secretary Chase. Fessenden, who as Chairman the important Senate Finance Committee (1861-1864) had played an important role in raising revenues for the Union cause, but he served at Treasury for only eight months (July 5, 1864 - March 3, 1865). Thereafter he returned to the Senate, becoming chairman of the Joint Committee on Reconstruction. Lightly creased. File holes at left edge. Toned. Illegible sections on 2nd page (near lower half). Ink blots near signature, but legible. Ink note (unknown hand) on verso of last page. Otherwise, fine condition.